Author: DavidReid

It is vital we renew efforts to address hate crimes in Northern Ireland, Alliance MLA John Blair has said.

Mr Blair, Alliance’s representative on the Policing Board, was speaking at the launch of Hate Crime Awareness Week in Mossley Mill. He said out of recent hate crime statistics, most concerning was the rise in racist incidents.

“There is cause for concern with the latest figures, with incidents of racially-motivated crime going up 11.4 per cent in the calendar year of 2018,” he said.

“It shows the pressing need for hate crime legislation in Northern Ireland. A consultation into the issue is expected to be launched in January and I would encourage everyone to participate in it when it is.

“It is vital we renew efforts to address hate crimes, to enable people to live safely in society. The PSNI do excellent outreach work on the issue but more could always be done through structures such as PCSPs and the Policing Board, to make sure we all play our role in keeping people safe.”

An Alliance delegation has held “detailed and productive discussions” with the administrators of Wrightbus, party Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MLA has said.

Dr Farry was speaking after meeting with administrators Deloitte in Ballymena, alongside party colleagues Kellie Armstrong MLA and John Blair MLA, as well as former party leader David Ford.

“These were detailed and productive discussion,” he said.

“While this is an incredibly difficult period for everyone concerned, nevertheless it is encouraging the administrators remain focused on trying to find a buyer for Wrightbus as a single package. However, the window to achieve this is narrow and realistically only a matter of weeks.

“But it is clear there are a number of obstacles that need to be overcome. These include addressing the level of debts to creditors, overall customer confidence in the operation and issues regarding the property.

“It is important all stakeholders play a role in finding a workable solution to this, while displaying a large degree of pragmatism and realism. The Government also needs to decide the role it can play in the matter. Alliance will be following up with various stakeholders in the coming days.

“The potential loss of Wrightbus has devastating consequences for Ballymena and the wider Antrim area, with knock-on implications for the wider supply chain and other businesses in the area. It is important we do all we can to not only preserve our manufacturing base, but ensure we have the conditions in place to share that manufacturing throughout Northern Ireland.”

Alliance has selected John Blair MLA to contest the South Antrim Westminster seat at any forthcoming General Election.

Mr Blair, who has been MLA for the area since replacing David Ford in June 2018, said it would be an opportunity for people to back the only Remain party in the constituency which can realistically win.

“Alliance will be fighting any election in every constituency in Northern Ireland. It is important we give everyone in Northern Ireland the chance to vote for the party which has the best chance of bringing together people of all shades from right across the community. We are the only Remain party who can win in South Antrim, with recent polls showing there is a strong possibility that is exactly what will happen,” he said.

“Our politics has recently been beset by scandal and disrepute. I want to help change that by bringing accountability and good governance as South Antrim MP. Constituents here, just like right across Northern Ireland, deserve the best political representation in a region with the same socially progressive laws as the rest of the UK and Ireland. I want to help bring them that.

“The Alliance surge seen in the recent European and Council elections is continuing. It is simple – if the people of South Antrim do what they did in May and vote Alliance, they will have an MP to represent them and the Remain majority in Northern Ireland in Westminster.”

Alliance South Antrim MLA John Blair has hit out at those behind a hoax device which forced the evacuation of residents in Antrim.

The elaborate hoax was discovered at Castle Grounds, facing Antrim PSNI station, at 7pm yesterday (Monday). Nearby roads were subsequently closed off and residents evacuated until 2.30am this morning.

Mr Blair, who visited the scene, said it did nothing but cause disruption to local people.

“Those behind this device have shown absolutely no regard for the local community or the disruption caused. I condemn them in the strongest possible terms.

“I went to the scene and the emergency support centre to thank in person the PSNI and the statutory agencies for their help during this incident.

“Local people do not want this disruption to their lives, which achieves nothing but taking us back to the past, and I urge those behind it to rethink their actions. I ask anyone with information on this incident to contact police immediately so those responsible can be caught.”